Charles "Chuck" Lalin ‘59
Brother • Class of 1959
Charles "Chuck" Lalin
Charles "Chuck" Lalin, 74, died Sept. 10 in Rockaway.
He was born May 14, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Irwin and Evelyn Lalin.
Lalin received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University and a master's in electrical engineering from Newark College of Engineering. At Clarkson, he was a member of both varsity basketball and baseball teams. As a senior he set the school record of seven straight games with a pinch hit. He was also a member of Lambda Iota (Delta Upsilon) fraternity and remained close friends with many of his brothers.
During his early career with various U.S. defense contractors, Lalin led projects that were integral in helping the U.S. put Apollo astronauts on the moon in the late 1960s.
In 1972, Lalin switched careers and went onto financial planning where he worked for 40 years as an advisor, working with individuals and families and helping them to reach their financial goals.
He balanced the last 17 years living both in Rockaway and in Sarasota, Fla., surrounded by friends and family. He and his wife, Lori, enjoyed trading the annual chill of the northeast for the white sand beaches of the west coast of Florida.
Lalin is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Lori; daughter, Debbie Finkel and her husband, David; son, Mark Lalin and his wife, Lorraine; five grandchildren; brother, Hill S. Lalin; and sister, Jody Tiedemann.
I am going to miss my best buddy. Over the years there were so many things that contributed to that friendship, not just the big things, like being his and Lori's best man or Debbie's Godfather, but lots of compassionate things, too. Charlie was a truly honest friend, always there when needed. You never had to ask, he just knew. When my Dad passed away at home, the first one there to comfort my mom, was Charlie, who arrived before I did. He had picked that day to call me at work and found I had just left for home. It was Charlie who picked out a second partner to spend the rest of my life with because he knew I couldn't do it alone. His spirit will live forever within that relationship. Thanks buddy, only you could have figured that out, so right.
I know Gil would have preferred to play golf as a single up in heaven, but now he has a partner and heaven will never be the same with those two M.E.'s up there. Gil trying to instrument every cloud up there to promote perfect skiing conditions and Charlie saying, "why do that, they are only going to turn to rain. What you need is an annuity for a rainy day". As always Charlie, not everyone agreed with you, but you usually got it right. So Tee it up, take a full swing, play without pain and score your age. My gift to you is 3 strokes to get in under par, but knowing you, Charlie, you won't need it.
Your Buddy,
Paul ‘59
Those who know me, know that I am very rarely at loss for words. The news of my Lambda "little brother", Charlie Lalin's passing left me at the time with nothing that I could think of to say that would be meaningful at that sad time.
However, during the recent Jewish High Holy day of Yom Kippur while in the Temple, I read a passage that was introductory to a Memorial service that is part of the overall liturgy of the day. It is a service that remembers and pays homage to those who have passed on--immediate family, relatives, and friends--and acknowledges the time we spent with them when they were living. The passage seemed to epitomize Charlie. It reads as follows:
"There are stars whose light reaches the earth only after they themselves have disintegrated. And there are individuals whose memory lights the world after they have passed from it. These lights shine in the darkest night and illuminate for us the path."
Charlie will be remembered by all who knew him as one who was as a rule extremely energetic and upbeat--no matter what the circumstances. He experienced a vast number of medical problems, but seemed always to come back from them raring to resume life. I called him the Energizer Bunny and the Timex watch. When I spoke to him soon after he came home from the hospital and found out that he would have to go on kidney dialysis, he still sounded like the same upbeat Charlie--telling me that he had made arrangements in Florida with a dialysis center when he and Lori went South; that he was looking forward to driving again when his conditioned stabilized; to the Spring Lambda reunion; maybe even playing a few holes of
golf. It was therefore shocking when I received the E-mail from Paul notifying us of his passing.
Charlie may be gone from us physically but he will never be forgotten. Our hearts, prayers and condolences go out to his life's most patient and helping mate Lori (with whom he had recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary) and his family.
May we add a moment of silence and a toast to Charlie, Gil and all our Lambda/DU brothers who have passed whenever we get together.
Fraternally,
Chuck Perschetz ’58
Chuck, as Charlie's "Big Brother" your e-mail comments were very thoughtful and reflective that we all wish to share. Thanks for expressing them. Well done.
I can also attest that Charlie had a uniqueness that identified him as an "unforgettable character". Over the years I saw and spoke with Charlie many times. About two years ago I had the pleasure of going on a seven day ocean cruise with Charlie, Paul Zolin and our wives. After spending 7 days at sea in a generally confining cruise environment, one really becomes familiar with each other. Without a doubt, Charlie was an interesting traveling companion whose many worldly financial commentaries and golf stories were to say the least, interesting.
It was also very apparent from some lunch stop-overs Charlie and Lori had with us during their travels, that the person who made Charlie the "energy bunny" and perpetual "Timex watch" person, analogies that you so appropriately expressed, was Lori. This past Monday my wife and I had lunch with Lori and her daughter Debbie in Connecticut where Debbie lives. Lori as expected was in mourning, but expressed that she and her family are also celebrating and remembering the good times and life of Charlie, as he wished we all would do.
Lori is a very strong and super person who we need to also remember as she provided the strength, incentive and desire for Charlie to continue on. We need to keep her in our prayers and more importantly our remembrance.
Also special thanks should be give to Paul Zolin, as well as to the others who have provided compassionate personal support to Lori and her family during this sad time.
Chuck, thanks again for so eloquently remembering Charlie. I am sure Lori would be very pleased to receive a copy of your e-mail sent to the "Brothers".
Fraternally,
Bill Smayda
Let's mourn a good man's life. Chuck was his own person; kind, generous, swaggering, confident, effervescent, smart as a whip, quick to understand, passionate and caring. A friend was a friend. Hell week stories were hilarious. His was a successful and productive life.
Beautiful Chuck. Here's to Charie, Gil, Mike Davis, Bud Darby and the other Lambdas we have lost in recent years. Chuck has Charlie's Timex analogy down pat; "Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin". Charlie was irrepressible, always of good humor, generous to his friends, never acknowledged setbacks and was ever the optimist.
We have many poignant memories of recent Lambda reunions. Who can forget Bud Darby in his wheelchair, Mike Davis with his oxygen tank and Gil Ferdun with his facemask because he had no white cells left to battle infection. Tough and loyal bunch us Lambdas!
Take care of yourselves and loved ones. Health and happiness.
Sadly,
Jack “Ike”’59
Charlie was always full of spirit. We shared a room with Pete at 30 Elm. He was normally in great humor. Although I must admit he really did not appreciate returning to our room after a party and soaking in the aroma of “ Clancy “ who I had locked in the room . He will be missed by all.
Mike Schwartz ’59
I am very sorry to hear about Chuck. I met him during several past reunions and enjoyed his company.
Jake Forbes '58
Wow! I had been thinking about him the past couple of days and I was going to give him a call. We lost a good friend and a good man. I feel fortunate that our paths crossed and we were able to spend time together. He had suffered so much pain the past few years, but kept a positive attitude through it all and still made you feel special when he talked with you. I will miss him and the little conversations that we used to have.
Gaff ’59
Barb and I are in France at present , will not return to Canada until Friday.Sept.28, As you imagine we were surprised on hearing of Chuck's death, yes he was very sick but in my conversations with him he was upbeat given the dialysis treatments. I never knew Chuck well until last winter but i became a real fan of him as a person, a character with a big heart and a sense of humor in spite of his health. I will miss him big time this winter. I will contact Lori when I arrive back home. I am scheduled for a minor operation on Oct.3 so I will have to miss the celebration of his life debut I will be thinking of him for sure.
Mike McCann ’60
Paul.....shocked to receive your news. Chuck had recently called me to check in on his prize student....Ramsey.
I was unaware of the extent of Chuck's personal medical issues at that time. He was one of the good guys....what a heart that man possessed. It was all about everybody else with him......behind the scenes, he made things happen for many others.
Sorry, I can't be w/you all in NJ on the 3rd.
Dave Richardson ’63
Hi Paul. Lori has just forwarded me your email and I wanted to write and say how nice it was to read your words about Chuck. I will never forget the way that Chuck took time out at what must have been the peak of his career to write to me and phone me with words of encouragement as I was starting out in mine. There are countless examples of Chuck's kindness and generosity that I remember over the years and I count myself lucky to have known him. I know how much Chuck valued you as a friend and it is clear from your email how much you valued him. It is hard to believe that I spoke to him only last night on the phone. I will miss Chuck very much and am feeling very sad today.
Tim Phillips
Hi Lori,
This is Bill Budney class of 61, we met in Florida a few times at the Lambda reunion. Challie was my big brother and I always appreciated what he did by sticking up for me to get me into the Fraternity House. I am really sorry for your loss he was quite a guy. We haven't been down the last two years our health issues are limiting our travels.
I will share a little history with you. Chuck and I go back to 1957 when the pledges were rushing the fraternity houses. He and I were New Yorkers with our long hair and combed in what we called in those days a DA Duck's Ass. Needless to say the first meeting for recruiting I didn't do so well and didn't get into the house. Challie was a year ahead of me and took me under his wing you might say he coached me. I was a pretty good athlete in those days and Chuck played baseball, but I got hurt and needed shoulder surgery from playing football so I wasn't able to play when I came to Clarkson.
The guys back then were with there crew cuts and white bucs and then there were a few from New York we just didn't fit in. So he convinced me to try again and I knew he went to bat for me and I joined Lambda. Well after time rolled on I was able to play all the sports for the fraternity and became VP of the house and Pledgemaster. So I finally fit in with Chuck's coaching and I am sure I wasn't the best student. The president of the house that year was Bill Armstrong who was all american goalie for the hockey team and a good guy. The fraternity did me a lot of good and I enjoyed my experience all thanks to your husband
Bill Budney ’61